605.2.1 Standards for Air-Handling Units

Air-handling units of mechanical ventilation systems, any portion of which provide outdoor air ventilation, shall be equipped with a particulate matter filtration system in accordance with ASHRAE 62.1 or ASHRAE 62.2 and shall have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 11 or greater in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2.

Exceptions:

1. This section shall not apply to the alteration or repair of a mechanical ventilation system that was installed prior to January 1, 2013 unless such alteration or repair includes the replacement or addition of an air-handling unit in such system.
2. This section shall not apply to the replacement of an air handling unit in a mechanical ventilation system installed prior to January 1, 2013 if the department determines that the design of such replacement air-handling unit cannot be made to comply with the allowable fan system power limitations of the New York City Energy Conservation Code.
3. This section shall not apply to any air-handling unit with a design capacity of less than 5,000 cfm (2.4 m³/s).
4. This section shall not apply for combustion outside air, ventilation air for mechanical room and inhabitable spaces.